SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR BREAKING SHEETS OF FROZEN PIZZA INTO INDIVIDUAL PIECES

Abstract:

A system and method for breaking a sheet (200) of frozen pizza into individual pieces (201a-201e) for packaging is disclosed. In an embodiment, the frozen pizza sheet (200) includes five individual pieces (201a-201e) separated by frangible lines (202a-202d). The breaking process includes a first step, wherein two end pieces (201a, 201e) are broken off by a first breaking mechanism (306), and a second step, wherein two additional end pieces (201b, 201d) are broken off a remainder of the frozen pizza sheet (200) by a second breaking mechanism (307) arranged downstream of the first breaking mechanism (306). In preferred embodiments, each breaking mechanism (306; 307) includes multiple holding wheels (301a-301 e; 308a-308c) and multiple camming wheel (302a, 302b; 309a, 309b) rotatably mounted on a common driven axle (305; 312).